9 must see parks in Wroclaw

Wroclaw is the historical capital of Lower Silesia in Poland, set on the banks of the Oder River. It's the fourth largest city in Poland and is known for many things, among which are the iconic Market Square and its famous fountain and the Gothic Old Town Hall with its unique astronomical clock.

Despite the major destruction of war, which was around 70% of the residential areas, the fast-growing industry and urban development transformed the city into the metropolis it is today, a dream destination for many. Walking across Wroclaw, you'll find a large number of parks and gardens to relax in, some conveniently located beside the water. The city has over 40 parks, green areas, and recreation spaces stretching from a few to over a hundred acres.

Below is a list of some of the best parks in Wroclaw for both tourists and locals to enjoy. Whether you're looking to hike and explore, picnic, or sit on a bench with a book, don't think twice; the parks in Wroclaw have you covered. But first, store your bags with a Bounce luggage storage partner in Wroclaw to ease the burden. You'll see that it's easier to enjoy nature in these parks hands-free.

Szczytnicki Park

Just a stone's throw from Centennial Hall and the colonnades of the Pergola, you'll find the oldest park in Wroclaw, dating from 1783. With an area of over 250 acres, Szczytnicki Park is also the largest park in Wroclaw. A natural landscape, the park boasts a beautiful Japanese Garden from 1913 with water cascades, rich flora and fauna, and a bridge over the Oder River. The tranquil and green landscape of Szczytnicki Park is further beautified by manicured gardens, spreading trees, wooden bridges, historical landmarks, and a playground for the youngest.

Szczytnicki Park is also home to the Church of St. John of Nepomuk, a wooden church dating back to the 14th century. It's near the Japanese Garden and the Pergola, and you can visit them all in one go. While there, it's worth viewing the inside of the old church filled with random paintings of many artists throughout the centuries.

Open to visitors all year round, Park Szczytnicki provides the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city, an ideal place for family picnics and outdoor adventures. Being close to the city center, it's easy to find many different spots to eat nearby.

Slowacki Park

Located in the city center, near Old Town Promenade, right next to the Peace Bridge, Słowacki Park is the place to go when you've had enough of the city noise and the tourist crowds. Named after Polish Romantic poet Juliusz Słowacki, Slowacki Park is surrounded by historical landmarks, sculptures, and museums such as the Racławice Panorama, the National Museum, the Architecture Museum, and the Post and Communications Museum, making it an ideal trip for history buffs and architecture lovers.

Many of the buildings in the park offer fun exhibitions for adults and kids, and you don't even have to like art to have fun exploring them. Here, you'll also find the Monument to the Victims of the Katyń Massacre in memory of the 22,000 Polish military officers, policemen, and other prisoners of war executed by the Soviets during World War II.

But Slowacki Park is also a place where you can connect with nature, an urban green space surrounded by maple, lime, and chestnut trees providing perfect shade for visitors wanting to have a picnic and take cover from the sun. It's also not uncommon to see locals having yoga classes in the morning or tourists passing through during a sightseeing tour. Finally, no one stays hungry at this park as there are a variety of restaurants encircling the area, plus the Galeria Dominikańska shopping center is just a few minutes walk away.

Park Południowy

Park Południowy, also known as South Park, is one of the oldest parks in Wroclaw, dating back to 1877. Stretching over 61 acres, just 2 miles south of the central railway station, South Park is a popular hangout for locals and tourists looking for peace and quiet. With a picturesque natural landscape featuring a large pond, fountains, and meadows, it's no wonder why.

Designed as an English garden, the lovely park is dotted with tall spreading trees, including Taxodiums and American tulip trees, providing the perfect shade on a hot sunny day. The park is also home to a bronze statue of Polish composer Frederic Chopin, an observation deck overlooking the pond, and a children's playground. When hunger strikes, you don't have to venture further off as there's a café and restaurant beside the pond.

Nicolaus Copernicus Park

Located in the heart of Wroclaw, next to Theater Square and the Puppet Theatre, is a small but very well-maintained park. It provides the perfect retreat from the busy city streets. The park features a fountain, dove cage, carousel, playground, and other attractions for the youngest. This is the place to come throughout the year for theater events and shows for children, especially during summer.

There are a few art installations and statues, such as the bronze sculpture of Amore on Pegasus, several gnomes, and more. Nicolaus Copernicus Park is also part of the Old Town Promenade, and you can explore both parks in one day. There are plenty of places to get food nearby, including the Renoma shopping mall, or you can pack your picnic basket and spread a blanket on the grass.

Wschodni Park

Stretching across 74 acres on Krakowska Street, Wschodni Park, also known as East Park, is one of the largest parks in the city. Surrounded by the river Olawa, East Park is the perfect scenic place for walking, running, walking your dog, or picnicking. Although very popular among locals, the park is spacious, so finding peace and quiet won't be an issue.

Foxes, hedgehogs, deer, and swans call this park home, and it's likely to see these animals up close. Nature lovers will particularly enjoy unique plants such as white poplars, marsh oak, caucasian wingnut, and more. There are a few historical landmarks, tourist attractions, and art installations across the park, such as a Nazi Monument from 1937 dedicated to the memory of the Storm Troops - SA, Little Niagara, and Forest Megaphones designed for people to "hear the forest." There's also a nice playground for the children to enjoy while parents relax on one of the benches under the shade of large trees.

Park Leśnicki

Located on city borders, along the banks of the river Bystrzyca, is Park Leśnicki, a local favorite for family gatherings, picnics, and outdoor adventures. Park Leśnicki stretches across 52 acres of land and features many historic monuments and attractions. Part of the spacious park is the Mokrzanski Forest, a hot spot for picnics and trips among locals and tourists alike.

The Park was designed in the 19th century by Peter Joseph Lenne, the same royal gardener in charge of the Szczytnicki Park development. In the southern part of the park is a Renaissance Castle that dates back to the Piast dynasty, the first ruling dynasty of Poland from the 10th century. Today, the Castle is a cultural center with many events taking place year-round.

There's no limit on what you can do and see here. Whether you want to sit by the large pond, walk along forest alleys, play hide-and-seek with your children at the Hornbeam maze, or take photos of the largest specimen of an American tulip tree in Wrocław, Park Leśnicki has you covered. Though there's no cafe within the park's grounds, there's one at the entrance.

Park Tysiąclecia (Centennial Park)

Extending over an area of 252 acres in the eastern part of Wroclaw is Centennial Park, the second largest park in Wrocław, with vast green areas, jogging, hiking, and cycling paths, picnic areas, and centennial trees. There's a bit of everything in this spacious park, from various playgrounds and gardens to pontoons, streams, and ponds, perfect for an outdoor adventure for the whole family. With over 2 miles long bicycle routes, the park is also popular among cyclists who can easily connect to other parks and districts in the city.

The park features an outdoor gym and several tourist attractions. The youngest can keep entertained at the recently opened Medieval Wroclaw, a three-level playground representing Wroclaw from the 13th century when it was just a stronghold. Also known as the Millennial Park, Park Tysiąclecia hosts many events, including marathons and cycling competitions. Centennial Park has a variety of cafes, restaurants, kiosks, barbecue facilities, and picnic areas.

Park Staromiejski

Park Staromiejski, or Old Town Promenade, is located in the city center and is one of the locals' favorite walking routes. Situated in the place of the former city walls fortifications, the promenade surrounds the Old City from the west, south, and east. This green belt along the river Oder is a 2-mile loop trail stretching from Sikorski Bridge all the way to the Museum Bridge. Walking along the Old Town Promenade, you'll pass several historic sites and buildings, which makes it the perfect sightseeing tour.

The center of the promenade is Market Square (Rynek), but there are a ton of places worth checking out along the route, such as the Salt Market, St. Mary Magdalene Church, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, the main campus of the Wrocław University, and the famous Quarter of the Four Denominations. Along the Old Town Promenade, you'll come across plenty of cafes and restaurants to grab a bite to eat.

Wroclaw's Botanic Garden

Established in 1811 with the University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw's Botanic Gardens are the second oldest in Poland and a protected monument in Lower Silesia. Once a scientific project, today, the gardens in the Ostrów Tumski area are one of the favorite parks in Wroclaw, a place where you can escape the crowds and connect with nature.

Expanding across 18 acres of land, the Botanic Garden is rich with flora and fauna, manicured landscapes, aquariums, statues and monuments, a pond, and a few picturesque bridges. You'll find plenty of benches and places to relax, picnic, or read a book. There's so much to do and see at this Wroclaw park that you'll forget you're in the heart of the city, a few steps from the noise and the crowds. When hunger strikes, you can rest at the on-site cafe and, on the way out, purchase a plant from the plant shop as a souvenir.

The garden is open seasonally, from April to mid-November, and it's worth visiting any time of the day, whether solo, with your partner, friends, or family.

The best parks in Wroclaw, Poland for leisure and outdoor adventures

Though relatively small, Wroclaw provides locals and tourists with large green landscapes where they can retreat from the bustling town and connect with nature. Besides nature, Wroclaw parks allow you to experience another side of Wroclaw, one that the city is well known for, and that's the history, art, and architecture. Not only you'll be able to reconnect with your green side and clear your mind, but you'll also learn a lot about Poland, Wroclaw, and its residents.

Looking for more things to add to your itinerary? Do you want to learn about Wroclaw Christmas traditions? Go ahead and check out our guide on Wroclaw Christmas Markets.